Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints: Service and Repair

1. Remove right hand wheel cover, then loosen lug nuts.
2. Raise vehicle on a frame contact type hoist.
3. Remove wheel and tire assembly.
4. On models with anti-lock brakes, remove right and left hand brake sensors.
5. On models with drum brakes, remove right hand brake drum.
6. On models with rear disc brakes, proceed as follows:
a. Disconnect parking brake cable from right hand caliper.
b. Remove brake calipers with brake hoses attached. Suspend brake caliper from chassis with wire.
c. Remove push nuts, then remove brake rotors.
7. Remove upper control arm bolt. Wire upper control arm to upper portion of shock to provide clearance for halfshaft removal.
8. Mark position of lower control arm to knuckle.
9. Remove right hand lower control arm to knuckle bolts and nuts.
10. Using tool T89P-3514-A, or equivalent, remove right hand halfshaft from differential carrier. Use care not to damage differential oil seals or CV joint boots.
11. Remove halfshaft from knuckle.
12. Position differential plug T89P-4850-B, or equivalent into differential housing to prevent fluid loss.
13. Mark position of driveshaft yoke to differential companion flange, then remove driveshaft retaining bolts.
14. Slide driveshaft forward and allow to rest on driveshaft hoop.
15. Using a suitable jack, support rear axle.
16. Remove rear axle mount retaining bolts, then remove rear mount.
17. Remove front axle retaining bolts and nuts.
18. Using tool No. T89P-3514-A, or equivalent, remove left hand halfshaft inboard CV joint from differential carrier. Use care not to damage differential oil seals or CV joint boots.
19. While lowering rear axle assembly, move to right and disengage axle from left hand stub shaft.
20. Position differential plug T89P-4850-B, or equivalent into differential housing to prevent fluid loss, then lower axle from vehicle.
21. Reverse procedure to install. New hub retainer nut, CV joint stub shaft circlips and differential seals must be installed.